....and the Oscar goes to Oprah?!

[masgrandeburrito]

Oprah Winfrey and James Earl Jones to receive honorary Oscars

Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and pioneering makeup artist Dick Smith were chosen Tuesday night by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive the Governors Awards. Jones and Smith are the recipients of the Honorary Award, while Winfrey will be presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

The awards will be handed out at the Academy's 3rd Annual Governors Awards dinner Nov. 12 at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland.
Talk show host/producer/philanthropist Winfrey, 57, is one of the most influential women in the world. Besides her 25 years hosting her own show and now operating the OWN television network, Winfrey's philanthropic endeavors include Oprah's Angel Network, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. An acclaimed actress, she was nominated for supporting actress for her film debut in Steven Spielberg's 1985 drama, "The Color Purple."

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

Okay...........

 

[SonOfSlobone]

Seems a bit odd that they're handing out awards at a dinner in November. Used to be that they gave out honorary awards at the main show. Especially if they're hoping for a ratings boost...

 

[anchihiro]

They've been doing it for a few years now to shorten the Oscars so more uninterested people will watch a less time consuming awards show.

 

[ShihTzuTylenol]

I just hope she doesn't do the diarrhea cha cha cha dance better than Bale; he'll have a fucking fit and strike a family member or get a stagehand fired.

 

[TheOscar]

I saw my name and was all "What?!" XD

 

[ShihTzuTylenol]

I saw my name and was all "What?!" XD

heheheh you're so silly Osacr, how ya been?

 

[TheOscar]

heheheh you're so silly Osacr, how ya been?

Hey Tylenol! Your name is too crazy, haha.

I've been good! You?

 

[freefall]

color purple = good movie
her other movies = bad

getting an Oscar? it makes no sense

She acted in movies other than The Colour Purple? That's new to me

I saw my name and was all "What?!" XD

There's a new episode on Hot In Cleveland, which the main character, who happened to be a actress, had three children: Emmy, Tony, and Oscar. If you know what that means...

 

[TheOscar]

She acted in movies other than The Colour Purple? That's new to me



There's a new episode on Hot In Cleveland, which the main character, who happened to be a actress, had three children: Emmy, Tony, and Oscar. If you know what that means...

Haha! Awesome. Yes, the name of three different awards.

 

[TrailofTears]

Cool. She deserves it.

 

[masgrandeburrito]

Academy defends Oprah for honorary Oscar

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The head of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is defending a decision to give Oprah Winfrey an honorary award.

The media mogul was picked to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for giving back to the community.

"This is about a person who has come from the depths, risen to the heights and given back. That's a perfect example of why this award was created," said academy president Tom Sherak.

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was established shortly after the death of the actor in 1956. Previous winners include Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones and Jerry Lewis.

According to Sherak, the award is presented periodically when the academy's board of governors believes there is a worthy recipient.

Sherak said many philanthropists belong to the film academy, but its governors "felt very strongly" about honoring Winfrey this year despite her limited work in film.

The decision attracted criticism mostly because Winfrey is considered a TV icon - not a movie icon.

Sherak pointed out that Winfrey has in fact been nominated for an Oscar for her role in "The Color Purple" and she has produced movies.

Veteran actor James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith will receive their honorary Oscars alongside Winfrey at the Nov. 12 ceremony at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. The two men are being recognized for their outstanding film careers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.